DALLAS – After two consecutive seasons of being an award finalist, the third time was a charm for Creighton University senior Doug McDermott, as he was named winner of the 2014 Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club made the announcement earlier tonight during the AT&T National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Guardians of the Game Awards Show at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas. The other finalists for the 2014 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T included University of Arizona junior Nick Johnson, Duke University freshman Jabari Parker and University of Louisville senior Russ Smith.

McDermott was one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy in 2013 and 2012, but saw Trey Burke (University of Michigan) and Anthony Davis (University of Kentucky), respectively, take home the award.

First created in 1969, UCLA’s Lew Alcindor claimed the inaugural award.

During the current season, McDermott averaged 26.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in leading the Bluejays to a 27-8 record, and a second-place finish in the BIG EAST, Creighton’s first season in the conference. With 3,150 points and 1,088 rebounds, McDermott is one of only three men in NCAA history with 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. After earning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year (POY) honors as a sophomore and a junior, he claimed the 2014 Big East POY award, making him just the third player in NCAA history to win POY honors in multiple conferences.

“With Doug you have to reflect not only on the current season but also his entire career to appreciate the full impact he had on college basketball,” said Eric Oberman, Atlanta Tipoff Club Executive Director. “He’s got all the intangibles to make him a tremendous all-around player, and he showcased those attributes this season. It’s an honor for us to call him a Naismith Trophy winner.”

"Doug has been the ultimate team player since arriving at Creighton four years ago, and there's no one happier about his individual success than his teammates," said his father and head coach, Greg McDermott. "He has experienced tremendous acclaim for his play on the court, and to do so while also serving as a role model for so many people makes recognition like the Naismith Trophy so special."

McDermott was chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, which based its selection on individual performances throughout the 2013-14 men’s college basketball season, and by fans, who were eligible to vote via a desktop and mobile device voting program from March 24 through April 5. For the 10th consecutive year, fans have contributed to the selection of the Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T. The fan vote accounts for 25 percent of the vote total. The vote was tabulated and certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti& Wynne, LLP. HA&W is the largest independent accounting firm in Georgia and one of the top 50 firms in the United States.

“We’d like to congratulate and thank each of this year’s nominees for their commitment to superior athletic performance, sportsmanship and leadership; and a special thank you to the fans who again helped select the winner,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T. “It’s an honor to welcome three-time finalist Doug McDermott into the elite company of Naismith Trophy recipients. His passion for the game has shown throughout his collegiate career.”

Other notable Naismith Trophy alumni include a pair of three-time winners in Bill Walton (1972, ‘73, ‘74) and Ralph Sampson (1981, ‘82, ‘83), as well as Michael Jordan (1984), Kevin Durant (2007) and Blake Griffin (2009). The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T is the most prestigious national award presented annually to college basketball’s best player.

The Naismith Trophy is the 13th different honor for McDermott as National Player of the Year this season, joining the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy, the John R. Wooden Award, Lute Olson Award, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, USA Today, NBCSports.com, BleacherReport.com, Basketball Times and Dick Vitale. McDermott also won the Senior CLASS Award on Thursday, which takes into account his work on the court and in the classroom and community.

Creighton finished the 2013-14 season with a 27-8 record while reaching the third round of the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season.

For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB

Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, which have become the most prestigious national honors in all of college basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T recognizes the top Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Players of the Year. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coaches of the Year, Boy’s and Girl’s high school basketball players and coaches of the year, high school scholar-athletes, basketball officials, student sections and overall contributors to the game. The Naismith Trophy was first presented to UCLA’s Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983. For more information, visit http://www.naismithawards.com.